49ers vs. Rams: Behind the scenes of Week 17 with Ramblin’ Fan
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers visit the Los Angeles Rams to close out the 2017 season, and Niner Noise went behind the scenes with fellow FanSided site, Ramblin’ Fan, to preview this NFC West showdown.
It’s hard to believe the San Francisco 49ers have only one game left on the 2017 NFL calendar.
And it’s even harder to think we’d be sad about this, especially after the Niners got off to a 0-9 start.
Yet San Francisco has reeled off four consecutive wins and wraps up its campaign with a road bout versus the 11-4 Los Angeles Rams who, under first-year head coach Sean McVay, have wrapped up the NFC West and are heading to the postseason.
San Francisco 49ers
As such, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise the Rams are going to rest the majority of starters in Week 17.
Nevertheless, Niner Noise elected to have a Q&A session with our friends over at Ramblin’ Fan.
Ramblin’ Fan co-expert Steve Rivera was nice enough to join us, and here’s what he had to say in response to the questions we asked about Sunday’s contest.
NN: Sean McVay has made a world of difference to a Rams team that few saw dominating the league this year, especially offensively. What have you seen that’s been notably different than the Jeff Fisher area, and how has McVay brought out the best in quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley?
"RF: The McVay question is one many teams looking for a head coach will hope to answer the exact same way. To understand why his success was sudden requires a look back to early in the preseason. Players will say he held them accountable. What I look at and have seen week in and week out through 16 games is the remarkable trust he has in his coaches. McVay is not a micromanager. When the offense is on the sidelines, he’s confident enough in his assistants to focus on the offense and know special teams and/or the defense is fine with Wade Phillips and John Fassel.As for Goff and Gurley, McVay runs an offense not necessarily run centric. Improvement on the offensive line has provided confidence for Goff that he can drop back and check-down. Gurley, once he got going, thrived in catching passed out of the backfield which looks to have lot a fire in a guy who disappeared in 2016. Frankly, there may be some simplicity to that answer also in that the offensive gameplan just became more dynamic. Fisher was like old school Big 10 Football: three yards and a cloud of dust. That was a hard sell to a young team."
NN: The 49ers and Rams put on a show back in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football, with L.A. coming away with the 41-39 win. The context has changed greatly since then, with the 49ers going with a new quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, and a new-found offensive confidence. What kind of game are you foreseeing to wrap up the regular season between these two division rivals?
"RF: Week 17 was a game I pointed to in early December as a “must watch” especially as Jimmy Garoppolo became the starter in San Francisco. Clearly, a lot has changed since Week 3. A lot has now changed in 24 hours. With starters sitting for the Rams, including some on the defensive side of the football, the finale to the regular season could serve as something of a showcase and coming out for Garoppolo, especially as they haven’t played an NFC West team since the end of November."
NN: Speaking of the Niners’ recent roll, what have you seen San Francisco do differently since Garoppolo took over starting duties? Aside from his efforts, are there any other players who have stood out on either offense or defense?
"RF: It’s hard to get away from the Garoppolo factor, as the quarterback on any NFL team is the straw that stirs the drink.The biggest thing that anyone notices is the level of confidence he brings to the offense, and the trickle down to the rest of the team. Garoppolo has managed to take some pressure off of the defense by being able to keep his offense competitive and in a position to win, as evident by four straight wins."
NN: With the Rams clinching the NFC West already, do you think they’ll rest their starters in Week 17 versus the Niners? Or is it better for McVay to give his starters added reps in preparation for the postseason?
"RF: The decision to rest the likes of Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald and what will likely be a host of key starters makes this game akin to a preseason game for L.A.As for good or not? I’d prefer to see this team, this year play all out for a few important reasons, and they are my opinions only. One is given how bad this team was last season. Going 4-12 to 12-4 is noteworthy. Also, I’d like to see Gurley run it up one more time to show the NFL-obsessed Tom Brady fans that the MVP is deserved more in Los Angeles than as a lifetime achievement deal for the Patriots pretty boy.Also, I do think there is something to be said for momentum. All that said, I get it, and it’s hard to find fault this season with McVay given how exceptionally well he’s managed the Rams."
NN: I can’t say enough about how exciting Gurley has been this season, perfectly worthy of an MVP nod if one comes his way. What changed, specifically, in the way he’s impacting games and what are you looking forward to from him this postseason?
"RF: Gurley was lost last season, as was the entire organization. As for Gurley, I think when a running back finds a groove, an offense gets better, and so does its quarterback. Gurley is a creature of comfort, which is to say that as he found comfort in his role and his game, the better he ran.Also, he’s been very good on short passing routes and getting up field. Bottom line, if don’t think it’s overly complicated: as the Rams got rolling, so did Gurley. As for MVP, he absolutely deserves the MVP. Take Brady out, and the Patriots have shown an ability to still win.Can you say the same for the Rams if Gurley struggles or is not in that lineup? Ask Goff how much better his game is when Gurley is running well. He’s taken a ton of weight off of the second year quarterback. Goff has the year he had because Gurley was MVP good.End of story."
NN: It’s kind of hard, based on what McVay does with his starters. But based off question No. 4, give me a prediction for the game and players from each team that wind up being the difference makers.
"RF: I think this game is where we see how good San Francisco is next season. I wrote this week, before news confirmed McVay would sit starters, that Week 17 would showcase the 2018 and beyond of the two best teams in the NFC West.Fans won’t get that game, but Niners fans will see a fifth straight win as Jimmy G. hands the Rams a New Year’s Eve loss."
More from Niner Noise
- 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
- Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
- 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar
As always, we’d like to thank our friends over at Ramblin’ Fan for the Week 17 Q&A, and especially Rivera, who took time out to join us.
Be sure to give Ramblin’ Fan a follow on Twitter — @RamblinFan — and Rivera too — @IAmSteveRivera.
Next: 49ers vs. Rams: 5 Week 17 storylines to watch for San Francisco
The 49ers and Rams kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.